President's Message

january 2023

Federal Updates on Non-compete Laws, Mid-Atlantic Women in Cardiology Seminar, ACC.23 Scientific Sessions, The Damar Hamlin Story: For Patients

Dear Colleagues,

Happy New Year to all!

Federal Updates on Non-competes: The ACC leadership and the Board of Governors are following this story that many of you might have seen: Feds Propose Ban On Non-Competes—Change Could Result In $300 Billion Wage Increase (forbes.com). In general, a fifth of all employed people in the US, and >50% of physicians, are held to restrictive covenants in their contracts, including non-compete clauses. Traditionally, many health systems have also held their employed clinicians to these clauses to a variable extent and they are enforceable in most states, including Maryland. I would encourage you all to be a part of this conversation as it impacts freedom to practice and clinician-patient relationships. MedChi, the Maryland State Medical Society, is also planning a membership survey on this subject. You will see more information in the future on what our chapter, in conjunction with our ACC chapter network, is doing in this space.

2023 Mid-Atlantic Women in Cardiology Conference: Maryland Chapter received another of the ACC Chapter-Section grants to promote women in cardiology. MDACC will partner with Mid-Atlantic Chapters: DC, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia and Virginia to bring the inaugural Mid-Atlantic Women in Cardiology Seminar to Heart House. This will be a two-day event during Springtime in DC. Mark your calendars and please encourage your fellows and faculty to attend. Men are welcome and encouraged to come. The conference will focus on career development and leadership coaching, academic promotions, mentorship and sponsorship, wellness, crucial conversations, transitions and negotiations. It all begins with a kick-off cocktail reception at 6:00pm on Friday, April 28 followed by the meeting from 9:00am-2:30pm on Saturday, April 29. This schedule of events was created so those who want to can enjoy DC in Spring if they are staying over on Saturday or arrive earlier on Friday. The planning committee is led by the MD Chapter WIC Chair, Dr. Carmel Bogle with support from Doctors Tala Al-Talib, Vani Garg and Renee Bullock-Parmer, Governor-elect of NJ Chapter. The Keynote address will be given by Dr. Roxana Mehran, world-renowned interventional cardiologist and clinical trialist and the co-founder of Women as One. There will be WIC Mentorship and Sponsorship awards given to those who have sponsored the careers of women. Check out the full agenda, Register Today and we’ll see you on this wonderful weekend in DC!

ACC.23 Scientific Sessions: ACC.23 Together with the World Congress of Cardiology is scheduled to take place March 4 - 6, 2023 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA. Reunite with your colleagues from around the world, explore the latest science and innovation, and learn about practice-changing updates in care. At ACC.23/WCC, you'll get everything you need to advance cardiovascular care for all! Please register for ACC.23 at ACC.23 Together With WCC in New Orleans, LA, March 4 – 6, 2023. Our Maryland ACC Chapter Leadership will be hosting a Happy Hour on Saturday, March 4 at Hilton Riverside New Orleans, Spirits Bar and Lounge from 4pm-7pm. Please stop by and bring your friends and family. Drinks and small bites are on us!

I thank you for your commitment to the Chapter.

Garima Sharma, MD, FACC